Nativity Feast 2021

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. One God. Amen.

I congratulate and greet you for the beginning of the New Year, 2021, and for the glorious Feast of the Nativity. And when we begin a new year we begin it with joy and hope, for we know that the Eye of God is upon us from the very beginning of the year, knowing that it is God who leads our steps, knowing that God is the Ruler over all.

And while it is true that the entire world is going through a difficulty and that this difficulty has lasted for several months, yet we are confident that we are all in the Hand of God, and our confidence is without end because we are confident that He is Ruler over all, and that “of Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Rom 11:36).

By the grace of Christ this will be a good new year, because all that God does is good. Every morning we say, “”Let us give thanks to the Doer of Good.” And the good things that God does for us and offers us are many, it is enough that He has covered us, supported us, guarded us, accepted us unto Himself, had compassion on us, helped us, and brought us to this hour.

We have loved ones who have departed. We pray for them and we ask for their prayers. We have friends who became ill or suffered. We pray for their healing and we ask that God restore them to perfect health. At the same time, we follow all the observances that make it possible to preserve our health, which is the most precious thing.

I want you to trust in the promise of God that says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom 8:28). Trust that everything you see and everything you hear about, throughout all creation and all nature, even in private conversations and in personal human relationships, know that everything is working together for good.

It is all for good. How will it be for good? God is the One who will determine that, but in the meantime, your part is to love God very much. Love God and know that this love is strong and active within you, and be faithful in this love, which you demonstrate by your faith in the Presence of Christ.

I join you during these wonderful occasions by sending you greetings, and we remain optimistic and confident that the Hand of God is at work every day and is working out all things, and that His promise is faithful, as He said, “I am with you all the days, even unto the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

May it be a new year that is filled with joy, goodness, love, and peace, a year in which God will grant you good health, protection, and peace, and that God would bless every work you endeavor to do in your life – whether it be at your job, in your family, in your church, in your service-work, or any work you do on the level of your community.

I wish you all goodness and a happy new year, and may you always be joyous.